Stories

In 1962, a plane crash at Orly Field in Paris claimed the lives of more than 100 Atlantans, leaving a deep scar on the city’s cultural fabric. Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., personally affected and burdened with responsibility, navigated the aftermath, ensuring the respectful return of the deceased. The tragedy unified Atlanta, inspiring donations for a memorial arts center, despite the irreplaceable loss and enduring grief experienced by the community and the victims’ families.

A potential donor’s offer of a WWII logbook opens Sue VerHoef’s recounting of U-505’s capture, vital to Allied code-breaking efforts. Janice Benario, a former WAVE, details her secret wartime translation work, revealing the profound impact of the Enigma machine’s seizure on the war’s outcome.

Albert Bolet recounts his harrowing experience during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, from being a political refugee to being trained for combat and captured. Decades later, settled in Atlanta, he reflects on the past with a blend of sadness and camaraderie, expressing a deep love for his native Cuba and his chosen American homeland.

On September 27, 2023, Atlanta History Center had the privilege of hosting 100+ students from Genesis Innovation Academy as a part of the powHER project spearheaded by Maria Taylor, in partnership with Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation.

On October 30, 2023, Olguita’s Garden will celebrate its 5th anniversary! This special garden was created in honor of Olga C. de Goizueta. Special thanks to The Goizueta Foundation for their generous support of Atlanta History Center through the years, and specifically for their continued commitment to Goizueta Gardens.

Maynard Jackson made history 50 years ago as Atlanta’s first Black mayor, bringing transformative change at just 35. His passion for civil rights and economic fairness opened doors for minorities in city contracts. Jackson’s leadership helped create a more inclusive Atlanta, a legacy that lives on today.

Help close the gap between those who can afford extracurricular programs and those who cannot. This GivingTuesday, we need your help raising vital funds to ensure we can offer a welcoming environment to more students.

Street names offer insights into a city’s history and its evolving perceptions of past figures. In Atlanta, Lindbergh Drive is named after Charles Lindbergh, an American aviation pioneer who was the first to fly solo across the Atlantic. Lindbergh’s achievements made him an international hero, but his later controversial affiliations and remarks led to significant public criticism. Many places that bore his name in the U.S. have since been renamed due to changing public sentiments.

Atlanta History Center Archives have been awarded a $137,554 Archival Projects Grant from NHPRC to rehouse, arrange, and create publicly accessible finding aids for archival collections that document populations and land use in and around Atlanta. The collections are, the Atlanta Department of City Planning, Atlanta Urban Design Commission, and Atlanta Real Estate Board appraisals. These collections are important to understanding the impacts of segregation and redlining on Black Atlantans especially, and will fill several gaps in historic property research.

From the Wright brothers’ sister Katherine to Gladys Poole, the first licensed female pilot in Georgia, women have played a pivotal role in aviation. Despite facing dangers and gender barriers, these pioneers soared into history. Poole secretly trained to fly in the male-dominated 1920s, performing in aerial shows. Evelyn Greenblatt Howren served in WWII as part of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Janet Harmon Bragg, a Black aviator, confronted racial prejudice to obtain a commercial pilot’s license.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. Its origin is linked to a racetrack founded by Asa Candler. Over time, as the importance of aviation grew, Candler’s racetrack eventually became a significant airport. Visionaries such as William Hartsfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Maynard Jackson played pivotal roles in establishing Atlanta as a major global aviation hub.

Air Atlanta, a pioneering Black-owned airline of the 1980s, offered unmatched luxury and service. Founded by visionary Michael Hollis during the airline deregulation era, it faced industry giants, achieving notable success before succumbing to challenges in 1987.

Although in the heart of a busy urban neighborhood, the Goizueta Gardens are host to many species of native wildlife including six species of salamanders.

On May 20, 2023, Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall bid farewell to its Chick-fil-A, the brand’s inaugural restaurant. Beyond its beloved menu, it revolutionized mall food courts and played a pivotal role in Chick-fil-A’s corporate evolution. Its closure symbolizes a significant chapter ending in Atlanta’s culinary history.